Parametric Modeling And Visualization In Decoding Of Collective Values: From Absolute To Relative Values

Abstract

The work herein provides a general discussion on the issues involved in urban and landscape planning, with an emphasis on the visualization. The paper reviews some of the challenges involved in the planning using visualization tools and Geographic Information Systems. The purpose is to present a motivation to think about choices users make while applying methods of geoprocessing analysis for, somehow, most of users just apply tools but do not question their meaning. A proper conceptual base is a way to avoid following new tools without really contributing to new methodologies and not using the real potential of Geographic Information Systems. We have been living a new paradigm on urban planning, changing from authorial design to the decoding of collective values, using parametric modeling to understand, define and control values and expectations in urban land use. The responsibility of making urban proposals clear has as purpose not only making citizens understand plans, but also to instruct them on an urban common landscape, which is the role of the visualization. It discusses concepts on visualization and presents a methodological proposal to transform representation from absolute into relative in order to support the decision-making in urban landscapes. The paper herein presents techniques to construct a diagnosis of potentials and limitations, to propose maximum constructive envelopes for plots’ occupation, and to promote the visualization in order to share the decision with the community, mostly on the Parametric Modeling of Urban and Natural Landscape approach.